The Matachine or Matlachine dance tradition can be traced back to the founding of the city of Saltillo by the Spanish (1577) and the settling of indigenous families from Tlaxcala (1591), who integrated aspects of the Chichimeca and other native dances from northern Mexico with their own traditions. In the twentieth century, cultural leaders carried on the Matachine tradition for over 50 years in Saltillo and throughout the state of Coahuila. Today, this mestizo tradition in Coahuila has over 200 registered dance groups and about 3800 dancers that participate in religious and cultural celebrations.

The exhibit includes elaborate dance costumes, headdresses, footwear, banners, accessories, photographs, and video documentary organized by El Instituto Municipal de Cultura de Saltillo and is curated by Ivan Ariel Marquez Morales and Maria Magdalena Davila Salinas. Photographs and objects from both artists and Matachine dance groups in Austin spotlight the tradition in Central Texas.

Danzas Matlachines: Tesoros y Patrimonio Cultural, Las Tradiciónes Continúan is organized in conjunction with the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities collaborative relationship that was established in 1968. Mexic-Arte Museum would like to acknowledge the City of Saltillo, El Instituto Municipal de Saltillo, the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Austin, the Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities Associations.